Santa Fe, NM- Today, Representative Daymon Ely’s (D-Corrales) Joint Memorial to create a criminal justice task force to address public safety in New Mexico passed its first Senate committee, Senate Public Affairs. HJM 16 seeks to identify issues of concern within the state’s criminal justice and public safety system.

“We need to get everyone in our criminal justice system together to talk about what they need to keep our communities safe. With input from the community and professionals who are tackling this issue every day, we’ll be able to develop effective public safety policies,” said Rep. Daymon Ely.

The Joint Memorial would also develop a strategic plan to address the issues of concern founded by the task force. House Democrats know that keeping our families safe is a top priority for our communities. With more and more studies showing that increased penalties are ineffective in deterring crime, we need to find creative ways to keep our communities safe.

HJM 16 has already passed the House and now heads to the Senate Floor for consideration.